Objective: To investigate the development potential of blastomeres isolated from 4-cell human embryos.
Methods: Human oocytes were collected after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and fertilized in vitro. The zona pellucida of 4-cell stage embryos were removed and the embryos were separated to single blastomeres and cultured in vitro. The development and differentiation of the blastomeres were observed.
Results: 83 blastomeres were isolated from 20 4-cell and 2 3-cell human embryos. Of those, 35 developed to expanded blastocyst.
Conclusion: Blastomeres isolated from the 4-cell human embryos have the competence to develop to expanded blastocyst.